D 570 
.2 
.F7 


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



000047514^8 


























* 



: '\r> ? • 

-* -ir ‘ ^ ^ *••*• 


<, 'o.> o v "o 

.v-., o'? ^ " A v . 

' rjr C •jfjXW,. O J - * • 

;- *w :*fte n,v* : 

V* *° ^ - 





r *r 

SfSSfc • 

• ’ • .> 0 ' % % rr:**./' °o .o° \ v .. -.-. 

4 .‘<*S6V. -V A rkvVA" «>. <£ ,' rfbr . U ■■? * 

- v** -i SkV^ t 

o aVA, * V/'/HvA^y * /-S vp -> * 

V s * ».^Ivv «$>* k *j 

\p 



t vv : 

V * c,^ '/V * milP 

« ,<y 

. 4 ° ... %■ '•*’’ 


I 6 



G * 

* " 


o V 


c> *'*uv~s A ~X ',''“' 1 ^. o 

\V %■ "’* £° 'P. * • ” « * A Oj. 

> .;* °- cv j,o ,vvi', *> v % . • • •- % 

** »y&Bv. ** ^ \ ^ * 

\ z W*? ”I8I : /\ l $8& ♦♦*%. l 

“ o „ , & v # U / B <$' t 0 * o ^ $> t , a ^ 

.*. '-> .J-®' t'er/r???,-' C ' *jc55Svl' P . 1 ’ y ^,". 

^ »* 0 / + 

$ -v 



o V 


.* i- 0 ^ 




1 ' A 0 ’< 5 > * » » o 0 .-?i S O, *. , i * A> '■$> - „ , 

& S'JJU? > v .;••* V ,/ .^A. •> 

<X ^ a ^ 'o.»* ^ 

0 v 0 0 " ° + O ^ Q o"o '^O 

’ • -r^Nv _ K ^ O J'^/TTtZ -r ^ 0 * ■ 

0 

♦ 



t a 


% * C* 

> -» V* <. ' 

: ^ °^> , 

v ^ o * 

« 0 ^ °<t. " ' » 1 * f 1 

V ^ Y *°, < 0 ’ 4 S, * / '-v 

<v ♦ rHN «» /k° c/' ♦ 

^ V * ^ V ° 

J -* O « V-A 








O. s 5 ^ <\ 

- ° ^ ' /Bate*: % 

• ^> V • e J ^ o T 

\p V^> ° ^L- 

r * A ^ 

^ s^J rl» *> 


. Y * o , 0 V 

^ A, ^ a'p' 

j ° %<A A V ♦ rKV > ,v' 4 ° -^r, 

^: ' Vv - minmi « ^ v 

* ^ & 


f; a^V - fisif 

‘ .0^ \ ‘^ff’ A 




> 

o a o 

**-• f° ^'♦•v.* 

a 0 X "> 

° *° WwW * £ ^ 

S/ Ce* '>/'/••': ;•••/ V •>> 

^ 'o.* - . 0 ^ 

N 0 „ 
















. . s v° ^ 

A o , 0 "^v * 

^ '” 0*“ ..*.. % "’* v \*'*••• *° ... V . 

y\ : -IB* : /\ : J 5 p *A» l@‘ : /\ : - € 

> C « - . \ ' ‘ *' o^’.-'.^o ‘“‘^.•••.% '"''o^ ...'.. °* 0 '* 

«^ 55 X^. v. . ^ ° ,-r .vSSW. c u o 



'-'o 


-X o ■ * * Y>v 

• r _c^v * ^r* 





*< 


3 °u 


* <C^yy/\\i^> <L ^ “* ^rl IvwSnn^ » X «. •a/ v «<i « ^ ° X v 

> ^ °o^ "*o„o** o 0 °°^ '*•.••* ^0° 

^ v •Vfw'* cx <p v ^ V \L!aL'* c\ jy f * 

%4? ^ -* ^Va\ <s* *♦ *" ^ 






• 3 " vA 


o 


& +- * « « ' 4 


* ^ % '. 


•*U* 




< V '••** A 

^ - t ' * ♦ o A o ° w ° <♦ ^ 

♦ t, * o ^ • 

*> 3 - ** A? ' 


/ ^ ^ • 




4 <aP 0 T| 

_ * $y & * _ _ 

^ *'T. ** .(r <> *•>.>* A <. w 

o^ *•'•'/♦ P ° c c *% <$> 

_ f, A i ^>/r?^o * O .4 iV • cA^vv . ** *P 

+ ^r. V * J&f{[///h> 4 N fc cSVATVy^ * \y 


‘^o 
A 




^ A' ~ VOyN^Ts" ^ ^ K 

' °o 'T^V n 0 ^ ^ <?> 

\> e*V.% c\ .<y , **o, A s 


f ^ 


«* •« 




* a 


^ -#>. 
v-<; v 

A V ' 

A s _ _ 

,i' O '■■••' A 

* .-••. *6 aS 

‘ *' W/ ^ ^o $ - 



> “. 

. <, *'T'.«* , 6 V o '«..* -s <, -- 

^ a ,«Pv. ^ 


a . 




• ,o -V -Y^.* 4 > ^o 'T^C* <P *■ 'Y^*' <& 

^ k> " <y * ^° ^ • * 1 a 

c\ sy +''** > v t AVl% c> <y "> v % s s 

^ ^ 4I& % / ♦>%:■'. 4- ^ ♦' ■ 

v^ ' ^ 




^ A • 



S^' r 



* A y > -* 



^Cp>- o 

■CL^ (£* — — 

<. C A“ - r *p . 0 ^ .• t / J 4 * °o, - 4. 4 .<A ° -, ^ 

,. -y '-' * dfV/Ao?? ^ a <^oOvvu\ , ^L <*“ V. 

«** o • oV . o 



£ \ 

* 9 , y* % <^ °_A^ * 0*0 

>^-v . \ V e • • 




® A ^ o. 

* 4? ^ o 

«* ’ V *MU\WP y <L V &• * 

^ ^frr* ^ o 'o 

C° °o 




A~ <J> **' ,V 

, > • ♦ O « • • 












J 








/ 















General Ulysses Grant McAlexander 

(From a portrait by L'ucien Jonas which now hangs in the Capitol of Texas) 















































































* 











THE ROCK 
of the MARNE 


A Narration of the Military Exploits of 
GEN. ULYSSES GRANT Me ALEXANDER 
at the Second Battle of the Marne 



Compiled and Edited by 
FRANK M. FRETWELL 
Captain Air Service Reserve, U. S. A. 

CHAIRMAN MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE 
SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 



rriHIS is the narrative of zvhat hap- 
Jf pened in July, ipi8, when the Thirty- 
eighth U. S. Infantry, under com¬ 
mand of Col. Ulysses Grant Me Alexander, 
at the Second Battle of the Marne accom¬ 
plished a feat not surpassed by Leonidas 
at Thermopylae or Miltiades at Marathon; 
by Jackson at New Orleans, or Thomas, 
the t( Rock of Chickamaugua.” It is a 
simple story of a fighting colonel, Me Alex¬ 
ander, one of the outstanding heroes of the 
war and now known as (( The Rock of the 
Marne.” 


O* . 'Ll. S>. fi.. 

%Q .*->5" 


TC'H 


THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


THE NATION’S TRIBUTE 

Hon. C. N. McArthur of Oregon, in an ad¬ 
dress made in the House of Representatives, May 
1, 1920, asked a grateful nation to give honor to 
Colonel McAlexander and the immortal Thirty- 
eighth Infantry. He said in part: 

“ 'Marne’ is a name indelibly inscribed on the pages of 
history. It was at the Marne in September, 1914, that the 
French under Joffre turned back the German hordes in their 
mad dash toward Paris; and it was at the Marne in July, 
1918, on the selfsame ground that a single regiment of 
American Infantrymen, with some aid from the Artillery, 
once more stemmed the German tide and rolled it back in 
defeat, earning thereby for itself and its gallant colonel the 
proud title, 'The Rock of the Marne / [Applause.] 

“World military annals report few feats that equal, and 
none that surpass, the deeds of the Thirty-eighth Regiment 
of Infantry under the command of Col. Ulysses Grant Mc¬ 
Alexander in the second Battle of the Marne. 'On this 
occasion,’ says Commander in Chief John J. Pershing in 
his final report, ‘a single regiment of the Third Division 
wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals. 
It prevented the crossing to certain points on its front, while 
on either flank the Germans who had gained a footing pressed 
forward. Our men, firing in three directions, met the Ger¬ 
man attacks with counterattacks at critical points and suc¬ 
ceeded in throwing two German divisions into complete con¬ 
fusion, capturing six hundred prisoners.’ ” 

“The story of the Thirty-eighth at the Marne is that of 
a regiment of men who might be killed but could not be con¬ 
quered. They had. been trained in the McAlexander school 
—‘along invincible and unconquerable lines’—and they knew 
that for them defeat was impossible. How fortunate for the 
allied cause that this was so. 


Page three 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


“In the summer of 1918 the German forces were again 
in motion toward Paris. Their hopes for success ran high. 
The Kaiser had set July 17 as the date for his triumphal 
entry into the French capital. The race was between the 
Kaiser and the Americans. Barrier after barrier the Ger¬ 
mans hurdled or smashed through until they arrived at the 
Marne. 

"Between Chateau-Thierry and Dormans— 

“Wrote Maj. Gen. J. T. Dickmann— 

“ ‘the Marne is a navigable stream, which flows in a deep valley. The 
crest of the banks is about four hundred feet above the level of the 
river. The strategical feature of the stretch of twenty kilometers 
between Chateau-Thierry and Dormas is the valley of Surmelin 
Creek. This valley furnished the only good opening toward the 
south. The railroad and two good wagon roads in this valley run¬ 
ning toward Conde en Brie and Montmirail are indispensable for 
the line of supply of an army crossing the Marne.’ 

“The Surmelin Valley was, indeed, the gateway to Paris, 
The sector along the Marne where it is joined by the Sur¬ 
melin was held by the Thirty-eighth. On its left lay another 
American regiment, on its right a French division. The 
Germans knew the great strategical value of the Surmelin 
Valley and were prepared to enter it at all costs. On the 
other hand, Col. McAlexander was aware of the necessity 
of holding it against the enemy. Defeat or retreat spelled 
disaster to the Allies. [Applause.] 

“McAlexander typified the Regular Army at its best. A 
graduate of West Point, he had served in the Indian wars 
and had been cited for conspicuous gallantry in Santiago 
in the Spanish-American War. He had seen service in the 
Philippines. He was one of the first officers to be sent to 
Europe and had been afforded ample opportunity of study¬ 
ing the German style of warfare. 

“The great outstanding fact in the battle of the Thirty- 
eighth against the German hosts at the Marne is that of 
regimental unity. Every unit, from battalion to corporal’s 
squad, acted in complete harmony of command. Had there 
been one weak link in the regimental chain this tale had 


Page four 




THE 


ROCK OF THE MARNE 


been one of military disaster instead of military glory. . The 
men had implicit faith in their officers, and over all was 
the McAlexander fighting spirit and genius. The colonel 
was always in the fight. No matter how long the march or 
how dangerous the battle line, McAlexander was always at 
the head of his men. [Applause.] Indeed, when the dis¬ 
tinguish service cross was conferred upon him the citation 
related that he had gone ahead of his men in full view of the 
enemy, thus leading his men by force of his example to the 
successful assault of enemy positions. Two wound stripes 
attest to the risks he ran. One of his captains relates how, 
in the thick of the Battle of the Marne, he came upon the 
colonel between him and the enemy. Going to McAlexander 
he said, ‘Colonel, don’t you know that nothing can live in this 
place?’ To which Col. McAlexander laconically replied, 
‘Well, while we are yet alive let’s give ’em hell!’ Small 
wonder the regiment possessed an invincible, unconquerable 
spirit. [Applause.] 

“The evening of July 14 found the regiment ready for 
any emergency. It was arranged on principles of ‘formation 
in depth.’ Near the river and along the Metz-Paris rail¬ 
road, which parelled the river, lay the Second Battalion, 
under Maj. Rowe; back of it was the First Battalion, under 
Maj. Keeley; and last, the Third Battalion, under Maj. Lough. 
Col. McAlexander had gone over the ground carefully, and, 
to the surprise of his officers, had ordered trenches dug on 
the right flank between himself and the French. He was 
going to take no chances of an unprotected flank in case the 
French division on his right retreated. This evidence of 
military foresight, as was proved later, saved the regiment 
from annihilation and turned certain defeat into victory. 

“Glory enough, it would seem, for one regiment of 
American Infantry to have defeated two entire divisions of 
Germans—six regiments of infantry plus artillery and aux¬ 
iliary troops. The significance of the victory comes only 
when one has a clear understanding of the general military 
situation in July, 1918, and of the particular importance of 
the position in the allied line held by the Thirty-eighth Regi¬ 
ment. 


Page five 




THE 


ROCK OF 


THE 


MARNE 


“As midnight of July 14 approached an ominous still¬ 
ness filled the air. Instinctively the men of the Thirty-eight 
felt that something unusual was about to transpire. Their 
suspense was of short duration. Exactly at twelve o’clock 
the German artillery opened fire. The sector was swept for 
hours, until it would seem no living thing could have escaped. 
But the Americans, huddled in their tiny dugouts or open 
slit trenches, awaited the attack which was sure to follow. 
How they longed to come to blows with this deadly thing 
which threatened to stifle the freedom of the world, to see 
it face to face, to meet steel with steel! 

“At about four o’clock the bombardment was lifted and 
a rolling barrage took its place. Back of the barrage came 
masses of gray-clad Germans, two divisions strong, with a 
third in support. At the river boats were loaded and pon¬ 
toon bridges were built. But here again McAlexander’s 
military genius evidenced itself. Instead of withdrawing all 
his men from the river bank, he left a strong detachment 
there. I believe it was the French general, Degoutte, who 
phrased it ‘McAlexander fought with one foot in the water.’ 
It was not exactly orthodox, and to the Germans it was 
another example of American ignorance of military science, 
but like many another American innovation in the World War 
it proved its worth. The American riflemen on the bank of 
the Marne destroyed boatload after boatload of Germans. 
It was the proud boast of the Thirty-eighth that no Ger¬ 
mans were able to cross the river in the sector held by it. 
[Applause.] 

“Farther to the left and right, however, the Germans 
did effect crossings, and advanced against the Metz-Paris 
railway line a short distance from the river. Here, too, they 
met a resistance which they could not overcome. Charge 
after charge failed to carry them across the railroad track. 
No German graves are located behind this line, but there are 
about six hundred between it and the river. The Thirty- 
eighth paid heavily for its resistance, but the line held. 


Page six 





THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


“In referring at a later date to this phase of the fight, 
Col. McAlexander said: 

“ ‘There was only one thing that saved us, and that was the 
spirit of kill or be killed. And I want to say that I was willing to 
sacrifice the regiment and myself with them rather than yield one 
foot of ground to those Germans. I gave orders to my men to hold 
their sector until they had orders to retire, and they were just as 
anxious to hold their ground as the colonel was to have them hold it. 
The books say that when your casualties have reached one-third you 
are out of action. But I want to tell you of one company that, when 
seventy per cent of its men were casualties, organized the remaining 
30 per cent in a countercharge and captured four hundred and ten 
prisoners.’ 

“On the flanks another chapter was being written. The 
American regiment on the left had given ground and the 
Germans were filtering through against the Thirty-eighth. 
On the right the French division had retired. The Thirty- 
eighth thus had to defend itself on the front and both flanks. 
It was here that Col. McAlexander’s plan of defense bore 
fruit. The Germans had begun an encircling pincers move¬ 
ment to cut off the regiment, and but for the precaution that 
had been taken to protect the right flank in case of retirement 
of the French, they would have been successful. 

“Messages sent back from the front lines to the com¬ 
manding officer tell tales of grave danger, but ring with 
fighting determination to hold at all hazards. For example, 
in reply to a message of encouragement from Col. McAlex¬ 
ander directing him to hold on, Maj. Rowe wrote: 

“ ‘We have no intention of withdrawing unless we are com¬ 
pletely outflanked. At present Boche machine guns are troublesome 
on right flank. If French counter attack in time, we shall be O. K. 
We must thicken the lines tonight and have ammunition and food 
and carrying parties from rear. There are many German rowboats 
on river which should be destroyed before night. We are weary 
but proud.’ 

[Applause.] 

“ ‘Invincible and unconquerable/ How Americans must 
thrill with pride on reading such a message. 

“For three days the fight on the flanks went on, the 
Germans striving desperately to open the gateway through 
the Surmelin. An order came to Col. McAlexander: ‘Fall 


Page seven 




THE ROCK OF 


THE MARNE 


back if you think best/ 'Is it up to my decision ?’ he asked. 
‘Yes/ ‘Then I hold my lines/ [Applause.] 

“What was there back of this heroic determination to 
hold the lines at all costs? Aside from the strategic position 
occupied by the Thirty-eighth, there was the question of 
morale. 

“‘It was our part— 

“Said Col. McAlexander— 

“ ‘to so impress the Germans with our fighting ability and our wish 
to fight them that their morale would be destroyed to the extent of 
seeing great forces brought against us with no prospect of their 
success.’ 

“Did this fight affect the morale of the Germans? Let 
the Germans themselves answer: 

“ ‘Our retreat across the river (Marne) was awful; those Amer¬ 
icans certainly did clean us up * * * they fight like tigers * * *. If 
those in front of us are fair specimens of the average American 
troops, and there are as many as they say there are, then goodbye 
to us/ 

“This from the notebook of a member of the defeated 
Sixth Grenadier Regiment, a crack fighting unit. 

“Nor was recognition of the importance of the Thirty- 
eighth’s victory lacking among American and French offi¬ 
cers. Maj. Gen. Dickman wrote: 

“ ‘In the fighting on the front and flanks of the Thirty-eighth 
Infantry, the enemy’s losses were so great that his offensive was 
completely shattered and the attack was not renewed. The regiment 
was still in good condition and its fighting capacity was unimpaired. 

“ ‘The defeat of the enemy on the Marne July 15, 1918, definitely 
marked the transition for him from the offensive to the defensive. 
The heroic stand of the Thirty-eighth Infantry stopped the enemy’s 
advance toward Paris and made possible the counter attack at So^s- 
sons three days later. 

“ ‘One of the brightest pages in the history of the American 
Expeditionary Forces was written on this day by the Thirty-eighth 
Infantry, and no soldier can have a prouder title than ability to 
state that he fought with the Thirty-eighth Infantry in the defense 
of the Marne/ 

[Applause.] 


Page eight 




THE ROCK OF THE 


MARNE 


“A French officer who had witnessed the action wrote, 
in part: 

‘The youthful soldiers of the Thirty-eighth Regiment did their 
job finely, showing themselves quite equal to our own best troops. 
Having received orders to hold on at any cost, they got killed only 
after having accounted for at least three times as many of the enemy 
and succeeded in maintaining the integrity of their front. * * * 

“ ‘Col. McAlexander, commanding the Thirty-eighth Infantry, 
showed himself to be a remarkable leader, cool-headed and efficient. 
He is liked and respected by men of whom he, on his side, has every 
reason to be proud.’ 

“When, at a later date, the award of Croix de Guerre 
with Palm was made to Col. McAlexander and to the regi¬ 
mental colors of the Thirty-eighfh, Gen. Petain, commander- 
in-chief, cited the regiment as follows [translation.] 

“ ‘Thirtyeighth Regiment of American Infantry, an elite regi¬ 
ment, which, under the energetic and intelligent command of its 
chief, Col. McAlexander, gave proof of unshakable tenacity in the 
course of the German attack of July 15, 1918. Attacked on the front, 
assailed on the right and left over many kilometers, faithful to its 
instructions, it remained, despite everything, on the bank of the 
Marne, hurled back the enemy, superior in numbers, and took over 
two hundred prisoners.’ 

“According to French high command, the action was 
‘peculiary American both in conception and execution/ 

“Yet this was not all. On the night of July 21, when 
the wornout heroes were preparing for the first real sleep 
in a week, orders came to be ready to advance in the morn¬ 
ing. The great smash was on. The German offensive had 
broken at the Marne and the tide had turned, never again 
to ebb until the Hindenburg line was pierced and the Ger¬ 
mans, face to face with the greatest military disaster in his¬ 
tory, signed the terms of the armistice. 

“There was no rest for the Thirty-eighth until the end 
came. 

“ ‘Let us cherish within our hearts the memory of our 
fallen comrades. Salute them! Then forward!’ These 
words, worthy of immortal fame, are taken from Col. Mc- 
Alexander’s general order of July 27, 1918, to the officers 
and men of his regiment. 


Page nine 




THE ROCK OF THE 


MARNE 


“Honors came — medals for bravery — promotion — in 
Europe. But at home, how many knew of the deeds of 
McAlexander and the Thirty-eighth ? It is a matter of rec¬ 
ord, reported by no less an authority than Maj. Gen. David 
C. Shanks, that when the regiment returned home no wel¬ 
coming committee was at hand to greet it. Let us not at¬ 
tribute the lack of appreciation to the proverbial ingratitude 
of republics, but rather to ignorance of the facts. The 
American people simply did not know. 

“When the real story of the greatest war in all history 
shall have been written, then will the deeds of McAlexander 
and the Thirty-eighth Regiment of Infantry shine forth in 
their true light and a grateful Nation sing the praises of the 
‘Rock of the Marne! [Applause.] 


Page ten 




THE 


ROCK OF THE MARNE 


THE THIRTY-EIGHTH’S TRIBUTE 

Tribute to his commander, whom he terms “The 
Rock of the Marne.” is given by Capt. J. W. Wool¬ 
dridge, who commanded G Company of the Thirty- 
eighth Infantry. In a copyrighted booklet, giving 
a chronological history of the regiment, Captain 
Wooldridge describes in vivid language “the hell on 
earth the men of the Thirty-eighth went through 
before the Germans completed their barrage and 
came forward to match man against man.” After 
detailing the care with which Colonel McAlexander 
had made plans for the defense of the position, and 
how he had guessed correctly that the French troops 
at the right would not hold their ground, Captain 
Wooldridge says: 

“On the morning of July 15, 1918, when Col. McAlex¬ 
ander was hurling battalion after battalion of the Thirty- 
eighth into the Surmelin valley, the Gateway to Paris, and 
out-fighting, out-maneuvering, out-generaling the Kaiser’s 
favorites, there were no friendly troops on our right where 
they had been on the evening of the fourteenth. 

“However, thank God for a real soldier’s instinct. The 
colonel had anticipated and was prepared to meet a right 
flank attack. Good old Captain Reid was there to meet 
them when they tried to consolidate their line through our 
regiment. He met them first with rifle fire, then with the 
bayonet, and finally with butts. He fought them all over the 
ridge and down on every side except our side. He never 
let them set foot on our sector of the Marne and though it 
cost him nearly his entire command he was there when 
fresher troops could get to him for relief. 


Page eleven 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


“On the left we repulsed a heavy rear attack and a light 
flank attack with a handful of the most exhausted troops in 
France—old “G” Company reduced to fifty-two men from 
two hundred fifty-one—taking up new positions and fighting 
of? ten to one is a picture that will ever live in the memory 
of the Thirty-eighth. 

“Major Rowe made desperate efforts to reinforce, but 
the Boche, just at that place, had us under direct fire of 
Austrian eight-eight’s, German seventy-seven’s, and one 
pounders. You know what direct fire means. Effective 
forces can’t be sent against it, that’s all. 

“So, for three days we fought on our flanks, for three 
days the German high command gave us all they had in 
their desperation to open the gateway. The colonel received 
an order. ‘Fall back if you think best.’ 

“He answered, ‘Is it up to my decision?’ 

“The answer: ‘Yes.’ 

“The colonel’s answer: ‘Then I hold my lines!’ 

“God, what a world of torture and yet solace in that 
answer! What a world of pain and joy! We were shot 
to ribbons, cut to small sections, unfed, and oh, so tired; 
but the drive would never have stopped once they consoli¬ 
dated their lines through the Thirty-eighth. 

“It was Paris for them and a terrible defeat for us if 
we withdrew and gave them the little Surmelin valley. The 
colonel had been studying the attack orders taken from cap¬ 
tured German officers and knew as no one else knew what 
it meant to fall back. 

“He was there for a soldier’s purpose and did a sol¬ 
dier’s duty. He paid an awful price, made sacrifices of offi¬ 
cers and men that tore his heart to pieces. But he held the 
Gateway to Paris and not only that, drove them back across 
the Marne and followed them across. 

“Believe it or not, it was an absolute physical impos¬ 
sibility, but we went right on after them and fought them 
again at Jaulgonne—still nobody on our right, mind you— 


Page twelve 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


where for several days and several nights it steadily rained 
and where for the same length of time we hammered them 
with shot and bayonet until they fell back with such impetus 
that our next big battle was at Fismes on the River Vesle. 

“One soldier was heard to remark: “I don’t see any 
more prisoners coming in. I wonder what can be the mat¬ 
ter?’ 

“‘Second soldier: ‘Didn’t you hear the colonel say he 
had all the information he needed?’ 

“There are not many of us left of the old Thirty-eighth. 
There has been considerable talk in French circles about 
‘Regiment d’elite,’ ‘unconquerable tenacity,’ and the like. 
Yes, our flag is to be decorated with the Croix de Guerre 
an it is generally recognized in high French command that 
‘McAlexander’s defense was peculiarly American in concep¬ 
tion, plan and execution.’ You see we have been under 
French command and our deeds have not been recounted 
at home. All the glory goes to the High Command. 

“Things like this though, we keep close to our hearts. 

“‘27 July, 1918. 

“ ‘General Order 1 

“ ‘(From the Field.) 

“‘To the Officers and Men of the Thirty-eighth U. S. Infantry: 

“ ‘The Colonel commanding the regiment wishes to praise you 
for the heroic manner in which you took your baptism of fire on 
July 15, 1918, upon the banks of the Marne. No regiment in the 
history of our nation has ever shown a finer spirit or performed a 
greater deed. 

“ ‘Let us cherish within our hearts the memory of our fallen 
comrades. Salute them! Then forward / 

“ ‘McAlexander/ 


Page thirteen 




THE 


ROCK OF 


THE 


MARNE 


GENERAL ULYSSES G. McALEXANDER 
A Short Biographical Sketch 

Ulysses G. McAlexander was born on a farm 
near the little town of Dundas, Minnesota, August 
30, 1864. He is the son of C. P. McAlexander, who 
served during the War of the Rebellion as an officer 
of the Minnesota Volunteers. He attended country 
school until 1874, when his parents moved to a farm 
north of McPherson, Kansas. Here he obtained 
such schooling as the primitive settlements afforded, 
until his entry into the University of Kansas in Sep¬ 
tember, 1882. From the University he entered 
West Point Military Academy in 1883 and gradu¬ 
ated in 1887. 

Early in life his outstanding characteristics 
were amazing directness of thought and an eager¬ 
ness to actually do things worth while. The pri¬ 
vations of his early Western life afforded no play 
time; hence, at a very youthful age, he possessed the 
seriousness of a man of maturity. At eleven years 
of age, he knew every campaign of the Rebellion, 
the leaders of all the larger units engaged and the 
reasons for their success or failure. His sense of 
tactics was pronounced before he was fifteen. Man¬ 
euver of troops and ability to rapidly decide tactical 
questions has ever been one of his highest charac¬ 
teristics. 

During the years from graduation in 1887 to 
the World War, he participated in several minor 
Indian Campaigns, the Spanish-American War in 
Cuba, where he was singled out by his Division 


Page fourteen 




THE ROCK OF THE 


MARNE 


Commander and cited for “Distinguished gallantry 
under fire” at San Juan, Cuba, July 1, 1898. 

The bull-dogged ferocity of his attack or de¬ 
fense, his uncanny visualization of a combat before 
its occurrence, his genius for leadership in inspiring 
his command to accomplish the seemingly impos¬ 
sible, is all exemplified in his defense of the Marne 
River line in France, east of Chateau-Thierry. 
There, on the 15th of July, 1918, when his regiment 
(the Thirty-eighth U. S. Infantry), was being at¬ 
tacked, after a powerful artillery concentration, by 
six regiments of German infantry, he defeated the 
great and last German Offensive (the “Frieden- 
sturn” or Peace Offensive) directed toward Paris; 
the successful accomplishment of which would with¬ 
out doubt have been disastrous to the cause of the 
Allies. 

Is there wonder that a United States Senator, 
in a speech on the floor of the Senate said that Gen¬ 
eral McAlexander was “Honored and glorified in 
the eyes of all Mankind”? 

He has never yet failed in carrying to a suc¬ 
cessful conclusion any mission assigned to him. 
Witness his citation for the Distinguished Service 
Medal. For his defense of the Marne the French 
Government awarded him the “French War Cross 
with the Palm.” In the Marne counter-attack, the 
French again awarded him their “War Cross with 
the Palm” for personally and physically leading his 
regiment in the attack. The French further made 
him an “Officer of the Legion of Honor,” carrying 


Page fifteen 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


with it a third “War Cross with Palm,” for his uni¬ 
form success during the war. 

The Italian Government awarded him the 
“Cross of War,” the only one awarded in the Divi¬ 
sion to which he belonged. 

There is no mystery in his military successes, 
since his whole life has been one of progressive mili¬ 
tary preparation for the events in which he has par¬ 
ticipated; his military character has had vigorous 
growth from early childhood. 

A Division Commander said: “General Mc- 
Alexander is the most distinguished combat officer 
that the regular army produced in the World War.” 

The people of the United States are to be con¬ 
gratulated in possessing a military leader who has 
in the past so nobly and efficiently justified his ca¬ 
reer. Our national safety depends on such leaders, 
their ability, experience and devotion. 

The common people of the country have every 
reason to be proud of their distinguished son and 
any promotion within the gift of the government 
could not be more worthily bestowed. 


Page sixteen 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


“AMERICA’S GREATEST MILITARY 
ACHIEVEMENT” 

(From Harper & Brothers, New York) 

“To close observers the most momentous part played 
by the American Expeditionary Forces in France occurred 
in the midsummer of 1918. This was not the Meuse-Ar- 
gonne offensive, for there the large American Army played 
but a small part in the great Allied offensive. Nor was it 
the St. Mihiel offensive, for there the fighting was very 
slight. In the compass of ten days on the Marne and at 
Soissons the gallant heroism of the defense of the Surmelin 
on July fifteenth, by General U. G. McAlexander and the 
Thirty-eighth Infantry stopped the last great German attack 
at the moment of its greatest power; and then, three days 
later, the First and Second Divisions, in a smashing blow 
southeast of Soissons, wrested the initiative from the Ger¬ 
mans and began that series of never-ending blows which 
finally led up to the signing by Germany of the most humiliat¬ 
ing peace. The stand of McAlexander on the Marne will 
live forever in the annals of American history; for there, 
with a single regiment of United States Infantry, surrounded 
on three sides, he held his ground across the road to Paris, 
and in two days’ bitter fighting cut to pieces two crack Ger¬ 
man assault divisions.” 


Page seventeen 




THE ROCK OF 


THE 


MARNE 


“A BRIGHT SPOT IN THE HISTORY OF 
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES" 

By 

Major General J. T. Dickman 
(Commanding Third Army, Army of Occupation) 

1. “Between Chateau-Thierry and Dormans, the Marne 
is a navigable stream, which flows in a deep valley. The crest 
of the banks is about four hundred feet above the level of 
the river. The strategical feature of the stretch of twenty 
kilometers between Chateau-Thierry and Dormans is the 
valley of Surmelin Creek. This valley furnishes the only 
good opening towards the south. The railroad and two good 
wagon roads in this valley running towards Conde en Brie 
and Montmirail are indispensable for the line of supply of an 
army crossing the Marne. 

2. “This front was divided into four sectors and the 
Thirty-eighth Infantry occupied the right sector of about 
two kilometers, its eastern boundary running south by Mou¬ 
lin Ruine and Ferme Janvier. It thus held the mouth and 
both banks of the Surmelin Creek and the slopes of the 
valley on both sides as far south as St. Eugene. 

3. “In the fighting on the front and flanks of the Thir¬ 
ty-Eighth Infantry, the enemy’s losses were so great that his 
offensive was completely shattered and the attack was not 
renewed. The regiment was still in good condition and its 
fighting capacity was unimpaired. 

4. “The defeat of the enemy on the Marne July 15, 
1918, definitely marked the transition for him from the # 
offensive to the defensive. The heroic stand of the Thirty- 
eighth Infantry stopped the enemy’s advance towards Paris 
and made possible the counter attack at Soissons three days 
later. 

5. “One of the brightest pages in the history of the 
American Expeditionary Forces was written on this day 
by the Thirty-eighth Infantry; and no soldier can have a 
produer title than ability to state that he fought with the 
Thirty-eighth Infantry in the defense of the Marne.” 


Page eighteen 




THE 


ROCK OF 


THE 


MARNE 


GENERAL PERSHING’S ESTIMATE OF 
THE GERMAN ARMY 


GENERAL HEADQUARTERS 
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 

“General Order No. 143. 

[extract] 

********* 
“At no time had the German army been more powerful 
or menacing than when, on July fifteenth, it struck again to 
destroy in one great battle the brave men opposed to it and 
to enforce its brutal will upon the world and civilization. 

“John J. Pershing, 

“General Commander-in-Chief.” 


Page nineteen 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


EXTRACTS FROM GENERAL PERSHING’S 
REPORTS PRAISING THIRTY-EIGHTH 
U. S. INFANTRY 

********** 

“The enemy had encouraged his soldiers to believe that 
the July fifteenth attack would conclude the war with a 
German peace. 

“The Third Division was holding the bank of the 
Marne from the bend east of the mouth of the Surmelin to 
the west of Mezy, opposite Chateau- Thierry, where a large 
force of German infantry sought to force a passage under 
support of powerful Artillery Concentrations and under 
cover of smoke screens. A single regiment of the Third 
wrote one of the most brilliant pages in our military annals 
on this occasion . It prevented the crossing at certain points 
on its front, while on either flank the Germans who had 
gained a footing pressed forward. Our men, firing in three 
directions, met the German attacks with counter attacks 
at critical points and succeeded in throwing two German 
divisions into complete confusion, capturing six hundred 
prisoners.” 


[General March confirmed this as being the Thirty-eighth U. S. 
Infantry, Colonel U. G. McAlexander, Commanding.] 


Page twenty 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


COLONEL KELTON’S TRIBUTE TO THE 
LEADERSHIP OF McALEXANDER 

Colonel R. H. C. Kelton, General Staff, Chief of Staff 
of the Third Division, in an article in the Century Maga¬ 
zine, entitled “The Miracle of Chateau-Thierry,” says: 

“No finer example of control by a regimental com¬ 
mander, or of confidence of them in the wisdom of his in¬ 
structions, can be conceived than this performance of the 
Thirty-eighth Infantry on July 15, 1918; and it may be 
very justly said that Col. U. G. Me Alexander was the ‘Rock 
of the Surmelin Valley/ just as Gen. George H. Thomas 
was at Chickamaugua.” 


Page twenty-one 




THE ROCK OF 


THE 


MARNE 


SUMMARY OF SERVICE AS IT APPEARS IN 
WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA—1920-1921 

“McAlexander, Ulysses Grant, army officer; b. Dun- 
das, Minn., Aug. 30, 1864; s. C. P. and Margaret McA.; 
grad. U. S. Mil. Acad., 1887; Army War Coll., 1907; 
Commd. 2nd It. 25th Inf. June 12, 1887; 1st It. 13th Inf., 
Aug. 16, 1894; Capt. A. O. M. Vols. May 12, 1898; hon. 
discharged Vols., May 12, 1899; Capt. U. S. A., Mar. 2, 
1899; Maj. 18th Inf., Jan. 19, 1911; assigned to 13th Inf., 
June 2, 1911; Lt. Col, July 1, 1916; Col., May 15, 1917; 
Brig. Gen. (temp.), Aug. 16, 1918. Prof. Mil. Science and 
Tactics, la. Wesleyan U., Mt. Pleasant, la., 1891-5; in the 
field, Santiago Campaign, Cuba, Apr.-Aug., 1898; recom¬ 
mended for promotion Tor gallantry under fire’ in battles 
in front of Santiago; in charge office Chief Q.-M., Dept, 
of the East, Nov. 14, 1898-Feb. 17, 1899, with regt. in Philip¬ 
pines, 1900-2; A. D. C. to Maj. Gen. Weston, in Philippines, 
1906 ; mem. Gen. Staff Corps, 1906-7 ; Prof. Mil. Science and 
Tactics, Oregon Agrl. Coll., 1907-11, 1915-16; with regt. in 
Philippines, 1912-15; Insp.-Instr. Ore. N. G., 1916-17; ar¬ 
rived in France, June 26, 1917; Comd. 18th Inf., July-Dee., 
1917; Insp. Gen. Base No. 1, Jan.-May, 1918; Comd. 38th 
Inf., U. S. in 2d Battle of the Marne, July 15, 1918; at Jaul- 
gonne, July 22, on the Vesle Aug. 2-10, 1918; Comd. 180th 
Inf. Brigade (Tex. Brigade), Aug., 1918-June, 1919, in St. 
Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Awarded D. S. M., 
D. S. C., and cited ‘for distinguished valor’ (U. S.) ; Offi¬ 
cer Legion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre (twice) with 
Palm (French) ; Croce di Guerri (Italian). Mem. Loyal 
Legion, Vets. Foreign Wars. Author: History of the Thir¬ 
teenth Regiment, 1905. Address: War Dept., Washing¬ 
ton, D. C.” 


Page twenty-two 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


AWARD—DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

“Ulysses G. McAlexander, Brigadier General, Thirty- 
eighth Infantry, Third Division. For extraordinary heroism 
in action near Jaulgonne, France, July 22, 1918. As a col¬ 
onel, commanding the Thirty-eighth Infantry, he displayed 
exceptional gallantry when his regiment, attacking without 
support on either flank, was stopped by severe machine gun 
and artillery fire, by going ahead of the most advanced ele¬ 
ments of his command, and in full view of the enemy, lead¬ 
ing his men by force of his own example to the successful 
assault of Jaulgonne and the adjoining heights. Later in the 
day, when progress was again checked, he personally re- 
connoitered to within fifty yards of hostile machine gun 
nests, and through information thus obtained, was enabled 
to hold an advanced position, with both flanks exposed, for 
more than thirty-six hours. Address: Care of The Adju¬ 
tant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. Entered 
Military Academy from Kansas.” 


AWARD—DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL 

“Ulysses G. McAlexander, Brigadier General, United 
States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distin¬ 
guished services. He commanded the Thirty-eighth Infan¬ 
try with marked distinction in repelling the German attack 
at Mezy, south of the Marne, in July, 1918. He exhibited 
particular skill and energy as a Brigade Commander in the 
operations of the St. Mihiel salient and in the Argonne- 
Meuse offensive. The successful accomplishment of the 
missions of his brigade in all cases were in a large measure 
due to his sound judgment and leadership. Address: Care 
of The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. 
Entered Military Academy from Kansas.” 


Page twenty-three 




THE ROCK OF THE MARNE 


GENERAL U. G. McALEXANDER, 

U. S. ARMY 

BATTLE PARTICIPATIONS 1917-1918 

1. Le Morte Homme, Verdun, France. 

.19-21 August 1917 

2. Sommerviller Sector, France.... 

.21 Oct. to 20 Nov. 1917 

3. Aisne Defensive, France.1 June to 5 June 1918 

4. Chateau Thierry Sector, France..6 June to 14 July 1918 

5. Champagne-Marne Defensive, France.:. 

.15 July to 18 July 1918 

6. Aisne-Marne Offensive.18 July to 27 July 1918 

7. Vesle Sector, France.4 Aug. to 9 Aug. 1918 

8. Villers-en-Haye Sector, France. 

.28 Aug. to 11 Sept. 1918 

9. St. Mihiel Offensive, France....l2 Sept, to 16 Sept. 1918 

10. Puvenelle Sector, France.17 Sept, to 10 Oct. 1918 

11. Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France....J. 

.22 Oct. to 11 Nov. 1918 




Page twenty-four 


















EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS OF GENERAL HUNTER LIGGETT 
BEFORE THE ASSOCIATION OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED 
STATES AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. 
********** 

"It was during the Second Battle of the Marne 
that the 38th United States Infantry, under command 
of Colonel Ulysses G. McAlexander, performed a ser¬ 
vice, the like of which I don’t believe was ever 
done before. The resistance of that Regiment to the 
enemy's attacks was epic. Since I was a boy I have 
read military history, and I can recall nothing to 
equal the work of this Regiment. Their losses were 
heavier in a shorter time than those of any Regiment 
engaged in the War" 

********** 

A TRUE EXTRACT COPY. 

Signed: H. LIGGETT, 

Hunter Liggett, 
Major General, 
U.S. Army. 

San Francisco, California, January 18th, 1923. 



















' 

. 








. 

' 




. 


. 







R D - 7 5. 

















r* 


































\LT 







u °- 0 ' ^ ^ ^°° ^ *" n * 

c\ ,o •'*** ? v * S AL/* cl ^0 v 

V,/ ^ 






**v : 

4> V ° 

^ .V ^ % 

A <\ ,0* - 

0*0. <{> A V 1 1 * 






* v\ V ^_ ' 

* xV *>*, 



*. 




a -v 

' A L 

,. <v 'TV*' ,G* 

,<V . o “ O - >$ . t » « 



\0 v*> *• 

* * «2e. * 

U A 0 V ,** 

<*L ,0 • «**?' > V o 

^ / -M’. ^ ^ •* 

rf -*«ir. ^ •* 


**% • 



« A ^ - 

, r 4 +. • 

i r <\> * *. * «G 

0 0 " 0 ♦ <S> 

* -rS^tv + *r . . 

• < <fL^\\iY^L* *? r * - v ^ 



> * 0 " 7 L 

rv j 4- ^ 4 

o „ o VU ,£► * • , ■« • 

0* ,«•.. % ' 
59 .*, fe %A 


'"P* A * 

* ^ /*^ t* 

* 







s*% 


+. 


Q 

^ */r.. • G* 

% <% *Cr , 

- -V «° *♦ 

^ 0 • 

4 cl 

> -a. * t<* «* 

* <A O ' > 

°“ 0 ' A v «L A * 

<o **•«* > v **^L'<. c\ 

** ;LVa-„ ^ ** ^ ^ 






° ^ X* *' 

: *U* ; 

*° +*** ^ °o 

% 4y & 

~ O 'o # »« <\ ^ **TV.* A & a 

' \ ^?> .^L a % ^ ^o. co-°. 



;* ♦♦ L 





XV • 


* 4^ 


A ^ 

^o Y 0 

A. *♦..’• ’* A % * *YA' .o° \ - *TT- • ’ 

. v A'> A .»♦•- > ^ 

- \f*Cy> 

c,*' ap ° uy/ * a^A* -* 

* 4/ aL o k7 ^»S. \)j * x V v\ • 

* „4- V -» . ^ V 1 

\ r ^ * *• • 4* ° # 4 * A s^ ^ * y ..» 

0 * 0 ^ ri^ ♦ *• # • ^ O - ^ c ° * ° + 

• r^N\ - «* ^ r. v -r O i"P- • ^ *#> /•-* 

“ # * ^ # ^ o; o 9 





0^ t *^* 



yf' C, 

O' S 

- < V«^ 

* ^ 







v --W/ : fpK‘ ; /\ l 'W?S /% : - 

, 0 * 0 '"*' A *“ o* 0 ."-,\ '*“\A .....^ 

♦ °o j’®’ ^'nTtZy ^ C u •* C «TV % o A % #**? 

o* «‘T*' K ~^P> 4 

Cz V - fa * rx 




o V 




4 C 


» / 1 



A v*. 

r ♦ * k 

■» /A c£* -> '^ivS- 5 ^ * <J_^ 

{/ V ^ „ " o „ 0 0 <$ 

AT ** V> *> V - ’ * 

A V *- 

° z£3a»*t^s - %>A 


^ .-iv *. 

.o-7- ** 4 o 

A A % 4> * o 

f 0 ^ 4 ® « 0 ° 

A V * * > V * * * o, cv 

^ 4, *‘r\^s.^/,*~ *0* A?* ' 

^ AV »Alft 0 ^ ,c7 ^ , 

v^V : MM; ° vp 9 ° " w 

o T///^\\\r ~ A -* ° A^*o^WvT^V^ * <*4^ 

* 4? ^ • WwU& ♦ AV o v jf \F * 4? ^ 

^ *..** A o^ V *r^7* a ^ -•.»* <6* V *>r. 

0^ c o " ° * ^O A ■<$. Q^ , o * a ^ *10 

>.’- ^o 4 f v: :#vU ’bv 4 *^6* r. ^o • 

> ' ^ ^ « % Ol 

N' ^ * ^2Z/1P<£ * f\ ' 

• 4_ : o_ •*- _ OLA/^o, 




l» 



cv ^ ,’•* 

% ** ^ / 

° ^ c, S 



^ * 




<0. 


O jy ,^V 

^ 4/ fc - 

° c“ * 

vP 9 



• ' m Z* °-2a a v ^ 

s- v c^ .‘^ten-. ^ ^ 

_ **4 

A^' v? V > o * J> ^rv 

1 4 AV ^ o Vjl\F * 4? ^ 

V v 4 A 0 V V ♦/^T» A '•. 

° A ^ . c .-^5K- ° A ''monk- *r. 

. To# :.A; A- 

A v •)> ' • »» • & A- * * • ’ *’ A 0 "* *'•*•” ■$>' 

sY -'Y', > V s .<•»- c\ -O’ ,vV/. V V -• 

' jT 1 .* c 5 >. 4 . ^ * • f, AA '^n' ln ;VA AX 4 , 

’ ^mA o ^ ,& * SfflS * <y * 

vv \p 9 " vv 

J* * 4? ^ • ®i3s ♦ 4v^ VvJi\F * ■€? °5>> 

C '»v,* jy % ^T* a ^ 'o.** % ^.. 

’iP Q ’ C ° * ° + ^Q _«^ . t # # ^ <5\ 0 o " a * 

C *^v^Vk^- ° *’ag’jr7?7h, * rr C* *ASS^h^-. ° 

’- »'A^0i- *0^ ^-d 4 • 5 bi 

iOy, •.m£K; a©. 








> ^ ' 7 ^» •• ° 4-' v 

t . 0 , cw . ,,o v ,,*••-■ „. 4?- V'" + T * o \0 V 4 S _* 

► . 5)' • -i\f. fi> 4> 4, y (\^>^A* n 4^ * 

° « v? ^ i ^v 'P j * 

0 < V o -» o o 

jj, * ^ ^ * att/viwi'N A * a > 

-■ v 'T T ."s^ A <^ *'o.t* <g^ 



t o 


^ *^ 1 * ^ 

A v, \D ^ 7^774 a <k -o. 

ijk . t ' * ^ «■> " " “ 


,0 



« 4 °<t. 

.'Y o '■?W , £s .0 V % 

° ^ °4- -’•'" A 0 V 


4-°^ . 

r\ ^ ^ * 

A 0 L». " ® " 0 ^ 

BBS BROS. '* P* 

BINDING ^ A 4, 

: .T8|;- $t ' 

‘UGUSTINE * 

4 .o^ ^o ^TTT'’ a 



FLA. 





•P> .4 


* A ^rv 

* 4 . <J ci>- 

■♦ 4 -" V ^> "*. 

^ '••■** A° ^ '•• 

♦ ^ ,0 V G 0 0 «» O 

+ *L. C • -r^rv ^ o 


o' ^ 




















































